IDNEWSNOW.COM, Jakarta – Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin issued a circular letter dated January 25, 2021, asking Covid-19 special hospitals to prioritize medical care for health workers who were confirmed positive for the coronavirus disease.
“Healthcare workers providing medical services are at the highest risk of contracting Covid-19 because of close contact with patients,” as quoted from a copy of the letter on Tuesday, February 2.
Budi noted three instructions for directors of hospitals and local governments, such as priority care for medical personnel and other healthcare professionals, report of every treatment given to them to the district or city health agency, and monitoring and health services to those undergoing self-quarantine.
Indonesia recorded the highest number of Covid-19 deaths among healthcare professionals in Asia. As of early January 2021, 504 workers died of the coronavirus disease.
Budi Gunadi argued that the priority care for health workers is necessary given their roles in treating Covid-19 patients that also made them highly susceptible to the infection. “The circular is aimed to strengthen support and cooperation of healthcare facilities and the regional governments,” he said.
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M ROSSENO AJI
